Guidelines for the Assistance of Attorneys and Parties Appearing Before the Hon. Kevin M. Dowd

A Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) shall be filed with the County Clerk before any matter may be reviewed or considered by the Court.

Except when directed by the Court to the contrary, all papers for signature or consideration of the court shall be presented to the Court Clerk.

Attorneys appearing at oral argument or conference should be fully conversant with all facets of the case and fully authorized to act on behalf of their client in all respects.

Preliminary Conferences

The Court shall fix a date and time for a preliminary conference in all contested matrimonial cases. In all other cases, the Court will schedule a preliminary conference only upon request of a party.

Pre-Trial Conferences

The Court shall fix a date and time for a pretrial conference after the Note of Issue and Certificate of Readiness have been filed. Counsel shall attend the conference in person. At least three (3) days before the conference, the plaintiff must and the defendant may supply a brief, typewritten statement of facts giving rise to the action, the contested issues, special and general damages, foreseeable legal evidentiary problems and any other relevant matter.

Motions

When filed with an initial Request for Judicial Intervention, motions will be given the next available return date by the Court Clerk. After initial assignment, motions shall be made returnable at any of the assigned Judge's regularly scheduled motion terms. Every Notice of Motion shall contain a clear statement as to whether the motion is to be submitted or orally argued. As a general rule, oral argument or submission is optional with the parties. Where there has been no oral argument the Court may, however, schedule one if necessary. Appearances are required on all contempt motions. Appearances are required on motions involving pro se litigants unless an exception has been specifically granted by the Court.

Ex Parte Applications

Ex Parte matters may be presented to Judge in Chambers at any time provided index and RJI numbers have been obtained, if required. Where granted, the papers shall thereafter be filed with the Court Clerk.

Orders to Show Cause

Original Orders to Show Cause are to be filed in the Clerk's office after a return date has been assigned and they have been signed by the Judge (even if they do not commence the action). An extra copy of the Order to Show Cause and supplemental affidavits and supporting papers are to be submitted at the time the Order to Show Cause is presented for review and signature, so that Court Chambers can review the papers prior to the matter being heard.

Contested Matrimonials

The Court shall fix a date and time for a preliminary conference. Both parties shall attend the conference in person, with their respective counsel. Counsel should be prepared to offer a concise presentation of the issues in dispute. A schedule for discovery and trial shall be established. The Court may direct that any requests for pendente lite relief be presented and heard at the time of the preliminary conference. Every motion for alimony, maintenance, counsel fees pendente lite and child support shall be accompanied by a Statement of Net Worth.

Trials

A marked set of pleadings shall accompany the Trial Note of Issue. In a contested matrimonial case, a Statement of Net Worth and a Statement of Proposed Disposition shall be filed with the Trial Note of Issue. Calendar Calls are not scheduled. The Court shall fix a date and time for Trial.